Re: Value of a PAP test in assessing advanced prostate cancer

[Guest guest]

> Dr. Strum and others have stressed the value of including a PAP test

> (Prostate-Specific Antigen/Prostatic Acid Phosphatase Ratio) among

> the tests for accurate assessment of a prostate cancer. My own

> urologist has 'poo-pooed' this as not having any value once one knows

> they have cancer.

Well, he's a urologist, and we should not expect most uros to be

well-educated abut the endocrine treatment of PCa nor about proper

staging. They are surgeons, and that's all they are (most of them).

Sorry if I've offended anyone.

On the website of the Prostate Cancer Research Institute (PCRI) at

http://www.prostate-cancer.org/education/andeprv/Strum_IADT.html

search within the page on PAP.

One of the paragraphs is this: " PAP, and other markers, including PSA,

are not just laboratory tests. They represent active biologic substances

produced from cell populations whose function is to maintain tumor cell

growth and spread. " To me, this seems to be rather important.

This might be a good time to consult a genuine cancer specialist, a

medical oncologist. Preferably one who is well-qualified in treatment of

PCa. A list of some PCa specialists is found through

http://www.prostate-cancer.org/resource/find-a-physician.html

Regards,

Steve J

" I believe it is a mistake for many urologists to be

involved in the endocrine therapy of prostate cancer. Let me state why.

Urologists are surgeons and many times surgeons rush to a treatment without

really understanding what they are doing. The old joke in medical school

was that surgeons do everything and know nothing, that internists know

everything and do nothing, that psychiatrists know nothing and do nothing

and finally that pathologists know everything and do everything -- but it is

too late. "

-- B. Strum, MD